(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 6 May 2005 RSF statement: US army asked to explain why it is still holding CBS News cameraman after one month Concern about arrests of other journalists Reporters Without Borders wrote to General John Abizaid, head of US Central Command, today calling for the release of Iraqi cameraman Abdel […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 6 May 2005 RSF statement:
US army asked to explain why it is still holding CBS News cameraman after one month
Concern about arrests of other journalists
Reporters Without Borders wrote to General John Abizaid, head of US Central Command, today calling for the release of Iraqi cameraman Abdel Amir Hussein in the absence of evidence against him. Hussein works for CBS News in Mosul. The letter also voiced alarm about all the other journalists currently detained in Iraq.
“Hussein has now been held for a month without the US army producing any concrete proof of its allegations,” the press freedom organization said in its letter, noting that it had already voiced concern about his detention on 9 April.
“We would like to express our concern to you again today, and to reiterate our request for a more detailed explanation,” the letter continued. “The result of an explosives test in a country at war does not seem to us to be either sufficient or substantial as justification for his detention. In the name of international law, we call on you yet again to release this journalist if you are unable to produce tangible evidence against him.”
Noting that, according to recent information from US military sources, a total of nine Iraqi journalists “suspected of helping insurgent groups” are currently held in US and Iraqi detention centres without being charged, the letter called on the US army and the Iraqi authorities to display more transparency and discernment in the arrests of journalists.
“The competent authorities must also provide the identity of each detained journalist as soon as possible together with the reason for their detention,” Reporters Without Borders said.
“As the number of arrests rises, so does our concern about the scale of the problem,” the letter added. “At a time when the United States is committed to the development of democracy in Iraq, the US army should set an example by respecting press freedom. Journalists are news professionals. They are not party to the conflict and should not be treated as belligerents or as potential terrorists.”
Reporters Without Borders already voiced alarm on 26 April about the increase in arrests of local journalists, often without any evidence or for unknown reasons.
Hussein’s arrest
Hussein was injured in the hip in the course of an exchange of shots between an Iraqi insurgent and soldiers of the 1st Brigade of the US 25th Infantry Division on 5 April near Mosul. An initial US army statement said the soldiers fired at “an insurgent” who was “waving an AK-47 (assault rifle) and inciting a crowd of civilians.” The statement continued: “An individual that appeared to have a weapon who was standing near the insurgent was shot and injured. This individual turned out to be a reporter who was pointing a video camera. Regretfully, the reporter was injured during the complex and volatile situation.”
The statement adding that the incident was being investigated. The journalist, namely Hussein, was taken to a US military hospital for treatment to his injuries, which the US army described as minor.
A subsequent army statement on 8 April said the US forces were holding Hussein and conducting an investigation into his previous activities and possible support for the insurgency. It said there were reasons for thinking he might pose “a serious threat to the coalition forces” and that he would be treated like any other security detainee. Army spokesman Capt. Mark Walter said Hussein had sustained minor injuries and was suspected of involvement in the shooting, along with a number of other people. He also said Hussein was detained after the incident in part because of the statements of persons who witnessed the clashes.
CBS issued a statement of support for Hussein the same day, saying he had been working for the news organization for the past three months and been had recommended by the CBS fixer in Tikrit, who had enjoyed a relationship of trust with CBS for two years.
According to recent information, Hussein has been held in Abu Ghraib prison since 22 April. A US army statement said an explosives test on him yielded a positive result and that the Multi-National Force in Iraq was pursuing investigations into his possible collaboration with terrorists and into claims that he had prior knowledge of terrorist attacks.
To read the full statement: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13709
